Stewart, Hartley a dynamic duo for UConn

Rich Elliott

Updated 12:08 am, Tuesday, March 11, 2014

UNCASVILLE -- UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma sees players across the country playing at a very high level as the NCAA tournament approaches. He watched No. 2 Notre Dame recently, and senior Kayla McBride and sophomore Jewell Loyd immediately caught his attention with their production.

But Auriemma also has been witnessing greatness from two of his own players over the last few weeks. Sophomore Breanna Stewart and senior Bria Hartley have become a dynamic tandem for the top-ranked Huskies. And their run of success continued Monday against No. 3 Louisville in the inaugural championship game of the American Athletic Conference.

Stewart and Hartley combined for 36 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in 74 minutes to carry UConn to a 72-52 win and their 19th conference tournament title at Mohegan Sun Arena. Stewart was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player. Hartley was named to the all-tournament team.

"I would say for the last month, month and a half Stewie and Bria have been as good individually and as good a combination as we've had in a long, long time and as there is in the country right now,'' Auriemma said. "The fact that they have a lot of confidence in themselves, I think that says it all.''

Auriemma is right. The dominance of Stewart and Hartley has been going on for weeks, not just the past three days.

Stewart totaled 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four blocks and two steals in 36 minutes against Louisville. She has scored at least 20 points in six straight games (21.5) and has reached double figures in scoring in a career-high 25 straight games.

Hartley had 16 points, four rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes Monday. She has scored in double figures in a career-high 18 straight games (18.5).

Stewart (19.7) and Hartley (16.4) are the top two scorers for the Huskies. On a team lined with stars, they are the two who are relied upon every game to play a significant role no matter the opponent. This is a role they welcome and a role that has seen them thrive.

They combined for 29 of UConn's 40 points in the first half against Louisville en route to a 40-22 lead. With the Huskies leading 28-20 with 6:10 left in the half, Stewart scored seven points to fuel a 12-2 run.

"I want to be, obviously, playing as best I can every game,'' Stewart said. "And whether that means rebounding, scoring, blocking shots, whatever. Just knowing that your team is relying on you and being able to go out and perform for them I think that's the best thing.''

Hartley enjoys being back in this role of having her teammates counting on her. Last season when she was struggling with an injury to her left ankle and battling confidence issues, she was unable to be the type of leader that she expects to be.

A year later there is no doubt as she is having the best season of her career.

"I think kind of last year it was like a little weird because when I came back they weren't (counting on me),'' Hartley said. "So I think that's what kind of startled me a little bit. But this year I like being in that role and being on the team where I'm like that. So I just try to go out there and do the most, and if they're relying on me I don't want to let them down. I want to be making sure I'm making plays for them.''

As many as six games remain for the Huskies. If Stewart and Hartley continue to play at their current levesl, an NCAA-record ninth national championship is well within reach.

"I think that we're both really confident and really excited for what this postseason has to come,'' Stewart said. ``And we're not looking back.''